Fastening device



May 15, 1962 G. N. wlLLls 3,034,817

FASTENING DEVICE Filed NOV. 4, 1959.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \\4 III j INVENTOR l 26 78 :$2 3% GRA/V7 N. W/L/S BY MWMay 15, 1962 G. N. WILLIS 3,034,817

FASTENING DEVICE Filed Nov. 4, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GRA/V7'/V. W/L/.S

A TTORNEYS il'nited States Patent lil Patented May l5, 192

ffice 3,034,S17 FASTENING DEVICE Grant N. Willis, Bristol, Conn.,assignor to J. H. Sessions & Son, Bristol, Conn., a corporation ofConnecticut Filed Nov. 4, 1959, Ser. No. 850,845 6 Claims. (Cl. 292-113)The invention relates to fasteners for tightly securing the lids ofboxes and other similar containers and more particularly tospring-loaded toggle fasteners in which a force is applied to the lid,after it has been drawn into engagement with the container, constantlyacting to maintain that engagement.

Although many different constructions for such fasteners are known,these constructions have not been completely satisfactory in certainapplications. Some constructions require that two hands lbe used ineffecting engagement of the fastener with the lid and in drawing the lidinto engagement with the container. In other constructions Ithe movableparts of the fastener are so arranged as to move through wide arcs oftravel and, upon the release of the force acting to hold the lid inengagement 4with `the container, these parts are rapidly swung upwardlyand outwardly through their Iarcs of travel, often to the injury of theperson opening the fastener. In some constructions no provision is madefor maintaining the catch of the fastener in a retracted position afterthe lid is removed from the container, while others are subject toaccidental opening because of an exposed operating lever that may be-accidently struck by extraneous objects.

Ibis, accordingly, the general object of the present invention toprovide a fastener in which the foregoing disadvantages of prior knownconstructions are eliminated or substantially overcome.

More particularly, the inventionbas for its object the provision of afastener which may be operated with only one hand while effectingengagement of the fastener with the lid and while drawing the lid intoengagement with the container. Another object of the invention is toprovide a fastener in which the movable parts of the fastener will lbeso arranged as to limit or-prevent the parts from rapidly swingingthrough wide arcs of travel upon the opening of the fastener. Stillother objects of the invention are to provide a fastener which will havemeans for maintaining the catch in a retracted position when the lid isremoved from the container and which will have guard means fordeflecting extraneous objects that might otherwise strike the operatinglever and open the fastener.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a reading of thefollowing specification and from an examination of the accompanyingdrawings.

Briefly, and in gener-al, the invention compris a base adapted to bemounted on the outer surface of a container adjacent a-n edge thereof, acatch and yan operating lever which are each pivotally connected to thebase independently of each other, and resilient means connected betweenthe catch and the operating lever so as to be compressed upon pivotalmovement of the operating lever inwardly toward the outer surface of thecontainer. In addition to its pivotal connection with the base, thecatch is also mounted so that the pivoted end thereof is movable withrespect to the base in a direction substantially parallel to the outersurface of the container.

The resilient means preferably comprises one or more springs which arepivotally connected at one end to the operating lever at a point on thelever spaced from the levers pivotal connection with 'the base, and 'areconnected at the opposite end to the catch at the axis of the pivotalconnection between the catch and the base. The operating lever is formedso that the point of connection with the springs, upon pivotal movementof the lever inwardly and outwardly of the outer surface of theoontainer, moves inwardly and outwardly of a plane passing through thepivot points of the catch and the operating lever.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention a preferred embodiment ofthe invention is Shown in the drawings land this preferred embodimentwill be described in detail hereinafter. However, it is to be understoodthat the following ydetailed description and the accompanying drawings-are by way of example only and do not define or restrict the scope ofthe invention, the claims appended hereto 4being relied upon for thatpurpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of Ia preferred embodiment of the inventionshowing the positions of the various parts when the fastener is `engagedwith the lid;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. l showing the positions of thevarious parts when the fastener is disengaged from the lid;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention,partially in section, show-ing the positions of the parts when thefastener is disengaged from the lid and with the operating lever of thefastener in its innermost position;

FIGS. 4-7 are sequential, sectional views taken along the longitudinalcenter line of the fastener, FIG. 4 showing the positions of the variousparts when the fastener is engaged with the lid;

FIG. 5 shows the positions of the various parts after the operatinglever has been moved to release the toggle;

FIG. 6 shows the positions of the various parts after the operatinglever has been moved farther outwardly; and

FIG. 7 shows the positions of the various parts with the operating leverin its extreme outwardly position.

For the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention,reference will now be made to the drawings. As shown, the fastenercomprises a base 1li (best shown in FIG. 2), a catch 12, an operatinglever 14 and a pair o-f springs 116. In order to obtain as flat aconstruction as possible, the base 1li is iixedly secured, by spotwelding or some other suitable means, at the bottom of a recessed plate18 -but this is not necessary and where desired could be secureddirectly to the container instead. The plate 18 is provided with aperipheral flange 29 and is adapted in use to be secured to the outersurface of a container 22 adjacent an edge thereof (not shown) by meansof a plurality of screws 24 at spaced points on the flange 2t); Anopening 26 is provided in the contm'ner 22 to accommodate the recess 23of the plate 18 (FIG. 4).

The recess 28 has generally parallel side walls 32 and straight andcurved end walls 34 and 35 respectively. The base 10 has a flat bottom38 with two pairs of upstand ing bracket arms 42, 14E-and a pair ofupstanding lugs 46 formed at the sides thereof and is positionedimmediately adjacent the straight end wall 34 of the recess 28. A pairof longitudinally extending laterally opposed slots 47 are formed in thebracket arms 4A, while bracket arms 42 are provided with circular holes48. The slots 47 in the brackets 44 are substantially parallel to theouter surface of the container 22.

j Catch 12 is formed with a hook-like end portion 50 and has asubstantially planar portion 51 that is provided with a pair of spaced,inwardly turned legs 52 extending longitudinally beyond the planarportion of the catch 12. The legs 52 lie closely adjacent the side walls32 of the recess Z and the inner edges thereof are formed with steppedportions 54 that engage the flange 20 of the plate 18 to limit inwardmovement of the catch. A rod 56 is positioned in and extends between thelegs 52 adjacent their ends and passes through the slots 47 in thebrackets 44. The fit of the rod 56 in the slots 47 is loose enough topermit the rod to fully pivot or move longitudinally therein. One end ofthe rod 56 is fixed against rotation in a leg 52 of the catch, as bystaking or welding.

Operating lever 14- comprises a substantially planar nger piece 58having a pair of curved, inwardly turned arms 68 formed at one end. Arod 62 passes through the outer end of the arms 60 and through the holes48 in the brackets 42 to pivotally connect the operating lever 14 to thebase l18 at `a spaced distance from the pivotal connection of the catch12 to the `base 18 and at a point closely adjacent the planar portion 51of the catch. The arms 68' of the operating lever 14 lie within andclosely adjacent to the legs 52 of the catch 12 and the finger piece 58,in its innermost position, lies flatly between the legs -52substantially in the plane of the planar portion 51 of the catch 12.

Preferably, the springs 16 are coil springs and two such springs areshown although a single spring only couid also be used if desired. Theends of the springs 16 rest against plates 64 and each spring has anarrow bar 66 passing through its center and through slots (not shown)in the plates `64. The bars 66 have elongated slots 78 formed at bothends and the rod 56 of the catch 12 passes through the slots 7) at oneend of the bars 66 while a pin 72 positioned between the arms 66 of theoperating lever 14 passes through the slots 76 at the opposite ends ofthe bars 66. In order to provide a toggle action for the fastener, thepin 72 is positioned in the arms 68 at a point spaced from the rod 62 sothat inward and outward pivotal movement of the operating lever 14 movesthe pin 72 inwardly and outwardly of a plane passing through the rods 56and 62. (See FIGS. 4 and 5.) As here shown, pin 72 is offset inwardlyfrom planar portion 51 of catch 12, whereby the finger portion 58 oflever 14 lies substantially flush with the aforesaid planar portion 51of the catch in the closed position of handle 14, yet pin 72 has at thesame time been moved overcenter of the toggle connection. This inwardoffset of pin 72 thus permits a construction of the catch and operatinglever which is substantially flush and uninterrupted on the exposed faceof the device.

Engagement of the fastener with the lid (not shown) of the container iseffected by engagement of the hook portion 50 of the catch 12 with astrap 74 which is xedly secured to the lid and which has a slottedopening 76 therein that serves to retain the hook portion 56 of thecatch 12. (See FIG. 4.) The lid is drawn into engagement with thecontainer by the action of the fastener in drawing the strap 74 towardthe recessed plate 18 and the action of the fastener in drawing thestrap 74 toward the recessed plate 18 will next be described withreference to FIGS. 4-7. While these views show the fastener verticallymounted on the side surface of the container 22, and the action will bedescribed with reference to this mounting, it is to be understood thatthe fastener may be mounted horizontally or at any other `angle just aswell as vertically and is operative in any position.

yIn order to properly position the hook 50 to engage the opening 76 inthe strap 74, it is necessary to move the operating lever 14 to itsoutermost position. Movement of the lever '14 to this position causesthe springs 16 to raise the rod 56 Aand the catch 12 vertically upwarduntil the rod 56 engages the top edges of the slots 47 in the brackets44 (FIG. 7). The operating lever 14 is then pivoted downwardly causingthe pin 72 in the arms 60 of the operating lever to move downwardly andinwardly (FIG. 6). This downward and inward movement of the pin 72 andthe tops of the springs 16 causes the Ibottoms of the springs to movedownwardly and to pivot about the axis of the rod 56. Since the springs16 constantly urge the plates 64 apart, there is suicient frictionbetween the plates 64, the bars 66 and the rod S6 to cause the rod A56to pivot inthe slots 47. Because the rod S6 is fixed against movementrelative to the catch, the catch 12 is also pivoted inwardly toward thestrap 74 (FIG. 6).

By the time the operating lever 14 has been pivoted inwardly to thepoint where compression of the springs 16 starts to take place (FIG. 5),the hook 5t) has been pivoted suciently inwardly and downwardly tobecome engaged with the slot 76 in the strap 74, and the steppedportions 54 of the catch have engaged the flange 2Q on the plate 18.Further pivotal movement of the springs 16 cause the bars 66 to slipwith respect to the rod 56. Thereafter further pivotal movement of theoperating lever 14 draws the lid into engagement with the container andcompresses the springs 16. When the `lever 14 is pivoted inwardlysuticiently to move the pin '72 inwardly of the plane passing throughthe rods 56 and 62, the compression on the springs 116 is relievedslightly and the operating lever snaps to its innermost locking position(FIGt 4). As the springs are placed in compression because of theresistance of the closing of the lid, the distance between the rods 56and 72 is reduced and the rods 56 and 72 no longer bear against the endsof the slots 70 in the bars 66.

In releasing the lid from engagement, the operation is reversed.Operating lever 14 is pivoted outwardly to move the pin 72 outwardly ofthe plane through the rods 56 and 62 and this releases the load on thesprings 16, permits the lid to disengage from the container and causesthe rods 56 and 72 to again frictionally engage the edges of the slots70 in the bars 66. Thereafter, further outward pivotal movement of theoperating lever 14- moves the hook 58 of the catch upwardly and out ofengagement with the slotted opening 76 in the strap 74, the pivotalmovement of the hook again resulting from the frictional engagementbetween the rod 56, bars 66, plates 64 induced by the pivoting springs16.

It will be noted that whenever the fastener is closed with the catchunder load, the ends of the legs 52 of the catch 12 do not engage 4thelugs 46 at the bottom of the base 10. However, as shown in FIG. 3,whenever the operating lever 14 of the fastener is closed with the catchunloaded, the ends of the legs 52 do engage the lugs 46. In order toprovide positive means for maintaining the catch in its innermostposition when the fastener is not holding the lid, the ends of the legs52 are formed to provide straight cam surfaces 78 that engagecorresponding cam surfaces 80 on the lugs 46, and these surfaces act toconstantly urge the catch to its innermost position. The cam surfaces 78and 80 act in this manner to return the catch 12 to its retractedposition as long as the catch has not been moved outwardly of theposition 82 shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3.

For the purpose of minimizing accidental opening of the fastener whenunder load due to the striking of the finger piece 58 of the operatinglever 14 by an extraneous object, longitudinally extending guards 84 areprovided on the flange 20 of the recessed plate 18 immediately `adjacentthe sides of the recess 28. The guards 84 extend upwardly above theflange 20 and are provided with rounded top surfaces 86 which serve todeflect objects that might otherwise accidentally release the operatinglever 14.

The present invention as typified by the embodiment shown and describedherein is believed to possess several advantageous features. Pivotallyconnecting the catch to the base independently of the operating leverresults in more positive engagement with the lid since pivotal movementof the operating lever subsequent to engagement does not tend todisengage the catch, In addition, the independent connection of thecatch to the base avoids any rapid pivoting ofthe catch resulting fromthe release of the load on the fastener. In the applicants inventiononly the operating lever can snap through its arc of travel and theextent of this ,travel is restricted by the bars 66 connecting the rod56 and pin 72. The operating lever i14 is thus limited to the outermostposition shown in FIG. 7.

The transmission of the pivotal movement of the operating lever 14 tothe rod 56 and catch 12 results in the fastener being operable by onehand only. The positive positioning of the catch yl2 by the cam surfaces'78 and 80 prevents the catch from loosely flopping during the timeswhen the lid is removed from the container and retains the catch in aposition from which it can engage the lid quickly and easily and with aminimum amount of movement. Provision of the guards 84 minimizesaccidental opening of the fastener by deiiecting extraneous objectsupwardly away from the finger piece 58 of the operating lever 14. Andthe substantially iiush, continuous exposed surface presented by thelatch in its closed position further minimizes the chance of accidentalopening or disengagement of the latch through contact of adjacentarticles during shipment or transporta-tion of the container to whichthe -latch is attached.

What is claimed is:

l. A toggle fastener for tightly securing the lids of boxes and similarcontainers, said fastener comprising a base adapted in use to be mountedon an outer surface of a container adjacent an edge thereof, asubstantially planar catch having a pair of spaced legs extendinglongitudinally of said catch and being pivotally connected adjacenttheir ends to the base at a point on the base adjacent the bottomthereof, said legs being mounted to be movable in a directionsubstantially parallel to said outer surface and the base, an operatinglever having an end pivotally connected to the base at a point adjacentthe planar portion of the catch and at a spaced distance from the pointat which the legs of the catch are connected to the base, and resilientmeans pivotally connected to the legs of the catch adjacent theconnection between said legs and the base and pivot-ally connected tothe operating lever at a point spaced from the connection of the leverand the base.

2. A toggle fastener as set forth in claim l, wherein said base has apair of laterally opposed slots formed therein extending in a directionsubstantially parallel to the plane of said outer surface and said catchhas a rod fixed in said longitudinally extending legs adjacent theirends with the ends of the rod extending into the slots formed in thebase so as to join the catch to the base and to permit pivotal andsubstantially parallel movement of the catch with respect to the baseand said outer surface of the container.

3. A toggle fastener as set forth in claim 2, wherein said resilientmeans comprise at least one coil spring having a bar passing through thecenter thereof, one end of which is pivotally connected to the operatinglever at a point spaced from the connection of the lever to the base andthe opposite end of which frictionally engages the rod fixed in thelongitudinally extending legs of the catch.

4. A toggle fastener as set forth in claim 3, wherein said base is fixedto a recessed plate at the bottom of the recess in the plate and saidplate is provided with longitudinally extending guards adjacent the sideedges of the recess which guards extend upwardly above the plate andserve to deflect objects which might otherwise accidentally release theoperating lever.

5. A toggle fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein the ends of saidlongitudinally extending legs are formed to provide cam surfaces thereonand said base is provided with cam surfaces engageable with the camsurfaces at the ends of said longitudinally extending legs whenever saidcatch is not under load and said operating lever is in its innermostposition and acting to urge said catch to move inwardly to its innermostposition.

6. A toggle fastener for tightly securing the lids of boxes and othersimilar containers, said fastener comprising a base adapted in use to bemounted on an outer surface of a container adjacent an edge thereof andhaving a pair of laterally opposed slots formed therein extending in adirection substantially parallel to the plane of said outer surface, acatch having a rod fixed therein with the ends of said rod extendinginto the slots formed in the base so as to join the catch to the baseand to permit pivotal and substantially parallel movement of the catchwith respect to the base and outer surface of the container, anoperating lever having an end pivotally connected to the base at aspaced distance from said slots, said operating lever also having a pinwhich is offset from the plane of the lever and which moves inwardly andoutwardly of a plane passing through the pivot points of the lever andthe rod in the catch, and resilient means pivotally connected to the pinin the operating lever at one end and frictionally secured at the otherend to the rod in the catch, said resilient means comprising at leastone coil spring having a bar passing through the center thereof, saidbar having elongated slots at both ends through which said rod and pinextend whereby limited relative movement of the pin with respect to therod may be perimtted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,249,644 Anderson July l5, 1941 2,605,123 Gland-Mantle `Tuly 29, 19522,751,240 Claud-Mantle June 19, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 491,723 GreatBritain Sept, 5, 1938

